Archive for the ‘Media’ Category

It all started when I decided that each month this year, I would put up a photograph of a different city on the home page of TimeFinders Online Magazine.  January’s edition featured New York. Then HARO (Help A Reporter Out) wrote about  Nightshift NYC (book~blog~events). A fascinating look at a city that never sleeps and the people who work from sunset to sunrise.

Unlimited Magazine has an excerpt from the book and what seems for many of us a down the rabbit hole lifestyle. Until I read that I had never really thought about how hard it must be to function in a world that predominately revolves around a 9-5 way of life.

Today, I am a guest on the Jungle Red Writers blog. Come for a visit and meet the five fascinating female mystery writers that started it all.

I really cannot add anymore other than to share their welcome with you:

“Welcome to Jungle Red, a salon of five mystery writers. Here, it’s all about writing. And not writing. And our search for motive in life, love, fiction and reality. Fans of classic films may recognize the name Jungle Red as a tip of the hat to Clare Booth Luce’s The Women. Like that eclectic group—we go through our highs and lows, fun and feuds with just an occasional unsheathing of our Jungle Red nails. Join us as we discuss (and occasionally diss) the world of reading, writing and publishing. All you need is an appreciation for a thoughtful turn of a phrase, admiration for a clever twist in a plot—and a sense of humor.”

When I am remiss in connecting with someone I dash of an email with the subject line -  ‘Catching Up’ so here I go.

In 2008, Nov 4th was noteworthy not only because Barack Obama won the election but also because that was the day when I broke my foot. Sorry, Barack but my tears during your acceptance speech were 44% happiness over your win and 56% PAIN!

This is the first time that I have ever broken anything so I was fascinating by the whole process from my foot becoming a grotesque size and one big multi-colored bruise.  By the way, whoever designed the walking cast should be given some sort of prize. To the shoe area of my bedroom which took on a somewhat macabre look as it became home to one dress shoe, one boot, one sneaker and one slipper. Sadly, even though it was the holiday season my high heel shoes just gathered dust.

When out and about you are more reliant on the kindness of strangers. Those who took the time to hold open the door for a few minutes longer as you hobble over, people who kept up their snow and ice removal and even the cab drivers who yes, open the car door and were extra helpful getting groceries to the door. Speaking of shopping not sure what to say about the grocery staff who were restocking shelves and pretend not to notice me struggling to get an 8KG bag of kitty litter into the shopping cart.

Anyway, foot is basically healed now and it is a brand New Year. I don’t believe in New Years Resolutions but I do have a few things that I would like to work on.

1. Drink less coffee. Drink more green tea.

2. Learn how to make an omelet

3. Find more time to read and write.

4. Be the kind of Life & Business Coach who really helps their clients in these tough economical times.

5. Take Mia to the next level of obedience classes. The time together and the interaction with others will be good for both of us.

6. Stay in touch with friends & family so I don’t have to send those catching up emails.

7. Have massages and manicures on a regular basis.

8. Finish that pile of partially read books besides my bed.

9. Podcast & Twitter

It is really going to bother me that I couldn’t come up with an even ten.

………………….10. Work on an apparent latent tendency towards perfectionism.

I have always been a person without borders; whether in my coaching, writing or blogging I believe that we are citizens of the world. So, from Canada I congratulate Barack Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr

On November 4th, 2008 this dream came to be

It has been a fascinating year for politics, especially for women. From the coverage of the hands on presence of candidate’s wives, to the political expertise & pantsuits of Palin and Clinton; no matter what her role the American female puts herself out there even if it means becoming a source of ratings for Saturday Night Live.

Through the years the First Ladies have often been marginalized by the press and that includes their causes until history & time validates their efforts. After 9/11 Laura Bush turned the tables and used the media to increase her presence in order to help heal a wounded nation. She has become a voice on the international stage speaking out for Afghanistan to bring focus to the challenges facing the people, particularly the women and children. This year she surprised many by supporting Burma as it struggles to be free of a regime’s tyranny.  It will be interesting to witness the historical imprint that Michelle Obama will make on the White House and the multi-dimensional position of first lady.

Here in Canada headlines are reading very differently. As illustrated with Julie Smyth’s article in the October 15th edition of  the National Post, entitled “Leaders spouses stay out of the spotlight”. Chatelaine’s December edition offers “Why Politics is Still a Man’s Job” by Rebecca Caldwell and the Editor, Maryam Sanati writes in her monthly letter “On the world list of female representation in politics Canada is 50 spots behind Rwanda”.

Candidate’s wives in Canada need to do more. They can speak to and meet with the people in smaller venues and in particular listen to the women. Instead of merely being a prop for the smile and wave photo ops, they can be a functioning presence on the campaign trail; gaining insight into the grassroots issues through discussions that their husbands are unable to have. If she chooses, the Prime Minister’s wife, Laureen Harper is in a truly enviable position to make a difference. She seems like an empathic and intelligent woman but we only get glimpses of her emerging from 24 Sussex Drive to attend some obligatory charity event. While giving one’s name & presence to a cause is important it is only touches on what she could accomplish.

No matter how we chose to participate it is time for Canadian women on all levels to not only bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan but also have a say in how it should be raised, slaughtered, delivered to the store and priced. It is time to stop being on the sidelines.

The true test of an actors life is where in the newspaper they are featured after their death. Most get an article with their career highlights on the entertainment pages but a rare few get their life reviewed in the news section. Paul Newman’s passing and his accomplishments are in just that prominent place.

He is portrayed as a man who kept his private life private. He appeared in some memorable movies and some not so memorable. However, it is probably his philanthropic legacy that propels him to the front pages. Newmans Own is an outstanding foundation and as the person behind over $250 million in donations Paul Newman’s legacy is remarkable . As is fifty years of marriage. In these days of self-absorbed, snivelling actors it is good to remember that for one man acting was only part of who he was.

A few days later another outstanding person lost their life but the events couldn’t be more different. Her name was Malalai Kakar, actually  she was Lieutenant-Colonel Malalai Kakar. And she did not pass quietly into the night surrounded by family, she was murdered.

As a senior police officer Malalai Kakar was the head of the city of Kandahar’s department for spousal abuse and crimes against women. This woman who represented & defended women’s rights in Afghanistan was struck down by a single bullet to the head.

The best way that I can honour her is by not linking you to the news stories about her death instead here is the link to Maire Claire’s article on her life.

Here is an overview of an article that I read this morning in the Calgary Herald: The town of Strathmore has 300 sheep in the rodeo grounds to keep the grass manageable . Two weeks ago a lamb was found dead and teenagers were chased from the grounds. Just recently hockey sticks have used to beat some of the sheep and one had to be euthanized. I am at a loss for words. Here is the Full article

On a happier note in the aniaml kingdom I came upon these follow-ups regarding the Michael Vick dogs. By the way they are now being called Vicktory Dogs! Now those are empowering words.

Best Friends Animal Society

Bad Rap - Grab a tissue and watch the See Them Now video

On Saturday night husband and I rented ‘The Bucket List’. The critics didn’t particularly like it but it’s not a critics type of movie it’s a people movie. We enjoyed watching it together; laughing through some of it, lump in throat in others and wincing during a few bits but as I said it’s not a classic. We even engaged in some rare analytical conversation related to what was happening on the screen during certain parts.

It got me thinking that whether you call it a Bucket List, Life List or 10 Things To Do Before You Die List there is nothing too big or small, silly or serious as it really is not just about being all deep or profound but more about what is important to you. If that means being served tea in your private compartment on board the Orient Express then write it down. Oh wait , that is number three on my life list.

So anyway watch the movie with your beloved it is worth making the popcorn for.

The 2008 US presidential election is the first one of the 21st century. As such it seems to have one foot in the same old rhetoric while the other one is in a social networking site where you too can be a friend of the candidate along with some 529,324 other people. Even the media seems to be just as unsure of it’s position; this probably comes from trying to cater to one generation via the internet, another through print, then there are those TV viewers. But I digress, one minute someone is commenting that ‘we have heard this before’, next a speech is condemned as being overly new age and therefore out of touch with the working people.

Seemingly stuck in the middle of all this redefining of politics for the new century is the 44 year old, Michelle Obama. She is an attractive, well educated and self-confident woman. As a mother she is trying to give her two young daughters some semblance of normalcy in the midst of the political mayhem. The ‘problem’ appears to be that Michelle is also very articulate with a mind of her own. Instead of criticizing her maybe it is time for the realization that the ‘First Spouse’ of this new century needs to have just those qualities.